What is couple? Pronunciation and usage in English

couple means . Learn how to pronounce and use couple through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of couple

couplenoun

/ˈkʌpl/
Definition & pronunciation of couple

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "couple" in English. It's a tricky one for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈkʌp.ə(l)/ (This is the American English pronunciation)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. "cup": Pronounce this like the word "cup" – short, quick, and with a slightly open “uh” sound. It’s almost like saying "kuhp."
  2. "ple": This is where it gets tricky. It's not pronounced like the word "plea." It’s pronounced like "uh-l" (like the ‘uh’ in “but”) . It’s a very short "uh" sound followed by an “l”. Think of it as a quick, almost swallowed "uh-l".
  3. (l): The "l" at the end is pronounced as you’d expect – an "l" sound.

Putting it all together, you get: "Kuhp-uh-l" (Imagine rushing through those syllables quickly).

Here's a tip to help:

  • Don't stress the "ple" sound. It's very brief and almost blends into the "cup" sound.

Resources for hearing the pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "couple" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/couple/ - This website has pronunciations by native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce couple" on YouTube - you'll find many videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation for you?
  • Give you some example sentences where "couple" is used?

Usage and examples with the word couple in English

The word "couple" is surprisingly versatile in English! Here's a breakdown of how to use it, broken down into categories:

1. Referring to Two People (a romantic relationship):

  • Most Common Usage: This is the most frequent way "couple" is used. It refers to two people who are in a romantic relationship.
    • Example: "They're a happy couple."
    • Example: "A young couple got engaged."
    • Example: "The couple went on a romantic getaway."

2. Referring to Two Things (generally):

  • General Pair: “Couple” can refer to any two similar things.
    • Example: "I need a couple of batteries."
    • Example: "She wore a couple of rings."
    • Example: "Let's buy a couple of tickets."

3. Referring to Two Items of Something (countable):

  • Used with Countable Nouns: When referring to two individual pieces of something, you use "a couple." (Think of it as "a pair" - but using the word "couple").
    • Example: "I have a couple of apples."
    • Example: "He's read a couple of interesting books lately."
    • Example: “We saw a couple of dolphins today.”

4. “A couple of” (informal):

  • This is a very common, informal way to say “two” or “a few.”
    • Example: "I'm going to grab a couple of coffees."
    • Example: “I read a couple of articles on the subject.”

5. “A couple” (slightly more formal, often when referring to time):

  • Used when talking about a short period of time.
    • Example: “I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”
    • Example: “We’ll finish the project in a couple of weeks.”

6. Figurative Usage (less common):

  • "A couple of challenges": Referring to a small number of difficulties.
    • Example: "We faced a couple of challenges during the project, but we overcame them."

Here's a quick recap table:

Usage Meaning Example
Romantic Couple Two people in a relationship "They are a beautiful couple."
General Couple Any two similar items "I need a couple of pencils."
A Couple (Countable) Two individual items "I have a couple of shoes."
A Couple of (Informal) Two or a few "Let's get a couple of pizzas."
A Couple (Time) A short period of time "It will take a couple of hours."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking of using "couple" in? (e.g., writing a story, conversation with a friend, formal essay?)

Synonyms for the word couple

Idioms of the word couple

in two shakes | in a couple of shakes
(informal)very soon
  • We’ll be there in a couple of shakes.

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